Motorized Blinds, Shades & Automation

Motorization and Home Automation from Hunter Douglas.

FB Motorized Shades and Blinds is your one stop shop to get a true Motorized solution. We can do basic systems with hard wired switch’s on the wall with remote controls to our unique whole house solution with our custom touch screen panel system.

Our custom touch screen panel can be programmed to operate any blind in the house at the touch of a button. We can program timers to raise and lower blinds whenever you want as well. It is a complete energy efficient system at your fingertips. There is nothing too big or small that we can’t handle. Please call us today with your Motorization needs.

If you are considering motorized window coverings in your home or other space, please read carefully about what is needed to prepare for this. ESPECIALLY if you are building or remodeling. Please Call us before you start this project.

Product Videos

Pre-wiring for motorized window shades and blinds

Whether we like it or not, home automation is here and is only growing. Discriminating consumers (a.k.a. high end home buyers) expect their homes to be modern and laced with the latest technologies. This now includes motorized window coverings. Low voltage window coverings are what they want and the requirements for these advanced new window covering control systems are completely different than what they used to be with line voltage (110) systems. Below we go into a brief history and comparison of the two systems and why the new low voltage system is the system of now and the future for years to come. Line voltage still has and always will have its place in the motorized window coverings market; however it is now and will forever be extremely limited.

Common Questions about Motorized Blinds, Shades & Automation

Why Low Voltage? Why Now?

There are basically two power forms available for motorized window coverings, line voltage (110 volt) and low voltage. For years it was simple. Line voltage is sent to a motor at one polarity to turn the motor one way and then reverse the polarity to turn the motor the other way. This still works and is used widely. There are many different ways to control the polarity to the motor from simple toggle switches with four wire set-ups to radio frequency switches. Line voltage motors get the job done especially when large/heavy shades and drapes need to be moved. There are many negative sides to line voltage:

Requires a licensed electrician to run the wire

The switching is set at install and cannot be changed without extensive re-wiring

Grouping is set at install and cannot be changed without extensive re-wiring and expensive line voltage group controllers installed, etc.

In the last 5 years or so, in response to the many headaches of line voltage shade systems, low voltage technology has improved ten-fold. The major drawback to low voltage shade systems was their inability to move large or heavy window coverings. That day is over. There, of course, are limits to how much a low voltage system can manage however, the limitations are now the exception. The advantages of a low voltage system far outweigh any negatives:

Does not require licensed line voltage electricians for wiring

They are quiet and some brands almost silent

Switching can be changed at anytime during or after install

Grouping can be changed at any time during or after install

Groups can be one or infinity number of shades and can be changed at any time

How to pre-wire properly for low voltage window coverings (and why you shouldn’t rely on your low voltage integrator to get it right) – The most significant difference, and the one creating most of the problems we see today, is that wiring for low voltage window covering systems is completely different than for line voltage shades and there is no standardized system (yet) between manufacturers. Like home automation systems, there are many brands and they are all different and all have different requirements. This is where we come in and can help you. We have spent years learning all of the emerging systems and know which one will work best for which application and how best to install the system from beginning to end so that the end user receives the exact performance they were expecting.

What can and cannot be motorized?

Actually, there isn’t much that can’t be motorized. Let’s look at the most popular products and their options. Roller type shades:

Screens

Blackout/Opaque

Silhouettes®

Vignettes®

Cellular & Pleated Shades (Duettes®)

Roman Shades

Drapery & Luminettes®

Blinds Tilt Only

Blinds Tilt and Lift

Where to use Line Voltage(110 V)

Outdoor Shades

Awnings

Large Indoor Screens and shades

How can FB Blinds, Shades, & Shutters help?

Trying not to be too brash about it, call us first! Too many times now we have received a call from a new home buyer, remodeler, or builder asking us to come out and help them order the motorized shades now that they are almost done with the project. Nine times out of ten we have to be the bearers of bad news and explain that what they want is not possible with what they have already done. We can make it work however; their will have to be major compromises or major remodeling done (walls cut open, new wiring pulled, etc.) in order to deliver what they are looking for. If they had only consulted us in the beginning, this wouldn’t have happened.

Connect with other smart-home systems

The PowerView system is designed for compatibility with most home automation system technologies on the market today, as well as Apple iOS and Android tablets and mobile devices to expand the function of your wireless home.

Please be sure to visit PowerView Compatibility page at hunterdouglas.com for the latest information on compatible systems and devices.

Pebble and Surface Remote

The stylish and colorful handheld Pebble Remote or the wall-mounted Surface Remote puts direct adjustment at your finger tips. Operate individual or groups of shades with the push of a button.

PowerView App

Customize your collection of Rooms and Scenes with the App, then use the scheduling feature to operate them whether your’e home or away. It’s designed for compatibility with Apple iOS and Android tablets and mobile devices.

Pebble and Surface Scene Controller

When your tablet or smartphone isn’t handy, the Scene Controller works seamlessly with PowerView Hob and App to trigger the Scenes you’ve created, adding even more convenient control.

PowerView Hub

Our elegantly designed Hub connects wirelessly on your home WiFi network. It’s the central point of control for all your home’s PowerView window treatments, storing your settings and activating your Scenes.

PowerView Repeater

The Repeater is a small signal enhancer that discreetly plugs into almost any outlet to extend signal range and carry commands throughout your home. It also provides customized lighting day and night via its illumination feature.

Our company is a Gallery dealer for Hunter Douglas, a leading manufacturer of window fashions. We will help you select the most fitting and beautiful window coverings from a wide variety of fabrics, colors, textures and styles, including the Alustra collection. We employ the finest Certified Installers to complete your installation.

We are a company that prides itself on providing every customer with the highest level of service. Our outstanding knowledge, excellent designers and commitment to quality have made us the design center of choice for our customers and set us apart from the competition.